“Dammit,” I grumble. “Why do you have to be so sweet?”
He flashes me a grin and we exit the hotel. We catch a cab to a nice restaurant in the middle of Hollywood. It’s quaint and looks like it serves delicious food. I’m fidgeting like mad as I wait for Tazen to point out his family. He leads me inside and then waves towards a group of four people. I look in their direction and my heartbeat starts thumping harder.
The older woman, who is clearly his mother, Regina, is an attractive, raven-haired beauty. She’s tall and slim, wearing a nice halter dress in red. She’s got a man on her arm, who I’m assuming is Tazen’s stepfather, Josh. He’s handsome, with salt-and-pepper hair and kind, blue eyes. To his left is a younger woman, who I am assuming is Retro. She’s … well … Retro.
Her hair is bright blue. No kidding. She’s wearing a black-and-white polka-dot dress that looks like it belongs in the fifties and she’s got sleeve tattoos up her arms. She’s gorgeous though, there’s no denying that. The man standing next to her must be Tazen’s brother, Kellian. He is as good-looking as his brother, with his long dark hair and dark brown eyes. He’s got a more gentle face than Tazen, not as rugged, but he’s handsome as hell.
We stop in front of them and I’m concerned I’m going to throw up on someone’s shoes. I’ve never met someone’s parents before. What if I say something wrong? What if they hate me and demand that Tazen find someone better? I want to gag. Instead, I force a smile as their eyes take me in. Tazen lets go of my hand and hugs them all, sharing back pats and kisses.
Then he steps back and wraps an arm around me.
“Mom, Josh, Retro and Kell, this is my girl, Quinn.”
Oh boy.
“Oh Tazen,” Regina says, stepping forward. “She’s beautiful. Hi, Quinn, it’s so lovely to meet you.”
She reaches out, pulling me in for a hug. Well, I guess Tazen’s mom likes me. That’s a good start.
“It’s lovely to meet you too, Regina.”
She smiles warmly at me, and Josh extends his hand. “Josh, good to meet you, Quinn.”
“Hi, Josh.”
“Finally, I’ve been waiting for this moment,” Retro says, throwing herself at me. She pulls me in for a hug, then steps back and studies me. “Gosh, you are pretty.”
I laugh softly. “Thanks, so are you!”
She touches her hair and grins. “I know.”
Kell rolls his eyes and extends his hand. “Pleased to meet you, darlin’.”
Oh boy. Charmer like his brother, too.
“You too.” I smile.
“Right, now that’s out of the way, we can let poor Quinn breathe,” Regina says and we all laugh.
The ice is broken. Thank God.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“So you’re a mechanic,” Josh asks, digging into his seafood soup.
I nod, poking my fork into my pasta. “Yes.”
“That’s impressive. How long have you been working on cars?”
“All my life, basically,” I answer.
“Nice.” Josh nods his approval.
“She’s fucking good at it, too,” Tazen sings my praises. “I gave her a hard time at first, but it turns out she’s got more skill than half of my seasoned mechanics.”
My heart swells at his compliment and I smile at him. He winks at me.
“That’s hot,” Kell says. “I wish I could find a girl that wasn’t a ditzy Barbie doll.”
“Then maybe you should stop shopping for them in dollhouses, son.” Josh laughs.
Kell grunts. “Probably right.”
“I’m totally in awe,” Retro says. “I wish I was that bad ass.”
I look at her. “Pretty sure you are.”
She grins. “Yeah, that’s totally true.”
“Love yourself much,” Tazen says, grinning at her.
“Bite me, Taz. You’re no better.”
He smiles knowingly at his sister.
I laugh at their banter.
“So,” Regina says, looking at me. “Do you have siblings, Quinn?”
I shake my head. “No.”
“And your parents?”
Tazen reaches over, squeezing my hand, but I don’t mind answering. I can’t hide from my past any longer, and I’m not going to be ashamed of it. I did nothing to be ashamed of.
“My mom died of cancer when I was younger. It was hard on my dad and he became an alcoholic. He’s getting the help he needs now, though. So we’re getting there.”
I hate the pity in their faces, but I push past it.
“That’s a shame, love. I’m sorry,” Regina says.
“This girl,” Tazen says, pulling me close and pressing a kiss to my temple. “Is tougher than anyone I’ve ever met.”
I turn and smile up at him. He leans down, brushing his lips across mine. When we turn back to everyone, Regina is watching us with a twinkle in her eye. She’s happy her son is happy. My heart swells at that.
“And how’s the garage going, Taz?” Josh asks.
They get into a conversation about the garage and I spend that time getting to know Regina and Retro. When we’re all finished and the night has progressed, they announce they’re leaving. We all stand and say our good-byes, my heart warm that I got to meet Tazen’s family and they’re so amazing. I hug them all and then Tazen and I head back out to the street.
“You tired, baby?” he asks, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.
I shake my head. “Nope, why?”
He grins. “Good, I have something you’re going to love.”
* * *
Tazen and I stand in his garage that sits right outside L.A. in Glendale. It’s impressive. You can tell it’s been looked after and expanded. It’s massive, eight bays, with cars from one end to the other. The parts room is extensive and they even have a paint bay. Wow, if this is what he plans on doing to the garage back home, I might just admit it was the best thing for it.
“Taz,” I breathe, shocked that I’m even calling him that. “This is amazing.”
“It’s pretty incredible, right,” he says, proudly.
“It truly is.”
He leads me towards a sleek, blue car. “We’re taking this baby out tonight.”
I stare at him. “We are? Isn’t it someone else’s?”
He shakes his head. “No, this one will just go up at an auction. We make good money that way, too. So for now, it’s still mine. I have just the place to take it. You ready?”
I nod and excitement bubbles in my chest as he opens the door for me and I slip into the car. It’s only a two-seater, with bucket seats and black leather interior. It’s beautiful. Tazen gets in the driver’s side and flashes me a shit-eating grin. “We’re going to make the streets of L.A. scream tonight.”
Oh boy.
“And baby,” he says, as he cranks the engine and it roars to life. “We’re going to make sure your panties are soaking fucking wet because of it.”
I flush and cross my legs, already feeling warmth building there. “I look forward to it,” I say in a husky tone.
He grins and pulls a remote from his pocket. He presses a button and the garage door begins to slide open.